I'm No Barefoot Contessa {VI}

Has everyone been enjoying this weather that feels like summer?  Maybe summer is finally here!  I haven't posted one of these since January and thankfully that feels like a distant memory.  Bring on summer salads and grilling!  Just typing this has me wanting to add hamburgers to the menu this weekend.  Enjoy!  

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

You may not feel like slow cooking in the summer, but if you've had a busy day at work or out all day with the kids this is a great solution.  Dinner is done, and you have time for an evening bike ride or dip in the pool...just sayin':)

This may be my favorite slow cooker I've ever made and probably the way I'll cook chicken in the crockpot from now on. Using bone in chicken breasts really kept it from drying out, as that has always been my issue with chicken in the crockpot...too dry.  Give this one a try, so tasty!

Bacon, Avocado and Corn Salad
I saw this on a blog I follow and then on pinterest, I made it right away after the description was "our go to summer salad"...it's our new favorite too!  I think Lauren had three helpings.  There is cilantro in there as well which makes it taste to fresh.  I didn't grill the corn and it was still amazing!

Mojo Pork Tenderloin
It had been years since I made pork tenderloin, I searched for awhile for a recipe and this seemed like the easiest.  It was soooo good!  You end up cooking the marinade to then serve on top and we couldn't get enough of it.  The cilanto, cumin, and orange juice were really unique but delicious!  I didn't grill the onions as the recipe suggests and didn't miss them.

Honey Mustard Pretzel Chicken
This is a recipe I had pinned forever ago and finally tried.
It seemed like a good twist on chicken tenders for the kids.  Lauren gobbled it up, but William not so much.  Billy and I enjoyed and the honey mustard sauce is a must, as that is what coats the chicken before smothering it with the breading!  Will make again!

I hope you'll give one of these a try!

XOXO
Aubrey

Sunday Sweets {Coffee and Cookie Brownies}

I love baking something sweet on Sunday to have in the house for the week, take to a neighbor or friend, or even send a plate full with Billy to work.

Bars, brownies or cookies are the perfect because they make enough for us to enjoy and give away.

I cut this recipe out of a Better Home and Gardens magazine in 2007.  This is the first time I've made these coffee and cookie brownies and let me tell ya...we've been missing out on this goodness.  

I already packed a goodie bag for our neighbor. The label took no time to make and I always keep these fun clear bags on hand.

Here is the recipe, let me know if you try them!

Coffee and Cookie Brownies

XOXO

Aubrey

I'm No Barefoot Contessa {III}

The new year usually brings on a quest to become healthier whether it be hitting the gym or eating better.  It's also a great time to become more organized.  I've always found that meal planning helps us to eat healthier and become more organized.  Here are a few  recipes I tried out over the last few months and thought they might help you with your meal planning.  

Southwest Avocado and Sausage Quiche
This was a great make ahead dinner and even as leftovers the avocado was still green.  Note: I did use italian sausage versus breakfast sausage.

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Meatball Sub Casserole
This is the winner for easy,super tasty and what to do with a leftover baguette.  It went over well in our house and we will for sure make again.
Note:  I used way less cream cheese then the recipe called for and trader joe's frozen meatballs.

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Winter Citrus Quinoa Salad

It might sound a little summery when you look at the list of ingredients, but it's very refreshing after all the heavy holiday spreads I know we've been indulging in.  We served it as a side with sauteed tilapia, but was great as lunch the next day.

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Sautéed Chicken Breasts with Balsamic Vinegar Pan Sauce

The flavors in this dish are so good, the vinegar is especially tasty soaked into the polenta.  We usually add a side salad or steamed broccoli.

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Panko Breaded Tilapia served over black bean, corn and quinoa salad and a bed of spinach

This is my creation to use up leftover black bean and corn salad.  I added cooked quinoa and then the tilapia is another Trader Joe's find that my kids love.  Served over a bed of spinach to get our greens in.  

XOXO

Aubrey

It's Cookie Time!

We had a great day making cookies with grandma!  These recipes are only brought out once a year and I thought I'd share a few with you.

The holiday biscotti is one of my favorites.  I never give these away and this year we made two loaves so we could enjoy even more with our morning coffee.

I'm keeping the peppermint bark and jelly thumbprints to myself.  But here is the recipe for the chocolate chip holiday logs (Billy's favorite).

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE HOLIDAY LOGS:

2 1/4 cup flour

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup margarine or butter (1 1/2 sticks)  plus 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup margarine for coating

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 pkg (6oz) semi-sweet chocolate chip pieces (minis work best)

1 pkg (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chip pieces (for chocolate coating)

2 cups walnuts (chopped)

Preparation:

-Mix flour and salt in a medium bowl.

-In different bowl beat together margarine, sugar, egg and vanilla..then blend in flour mixture.  Stir in  chocolate chips.

-Shape dough into logs (2x1/2 inch).   Place on ungreased cookie sheet.

-Bake 12-15 mins at 350 degrees.

-Cool on wire rack

-Dip ends of cookies into chocolate coating, then roll ends in chopped nuts, and place on wax paper till set.

TO MAKE CHOCOLATE COATING:

-Melt together 1 pkg (12oz) semi sweet chocolate pieces and 1/4 cup margarine in top of double boiler. Stir until blended and smooth.  If mixture is too thick add more margarine 1 tablespoon at a time.....(could use 1 whole stick of margarine.)

We usually try one new cookie recipe each year and I decided to make it something Lauren could have fun with.  Frosted Reindeer Cookies were perfect for her.  Not quite what the pillsbury picture looked like or what a reindeer looks like for that matter...but close:)

I balanced the baking day out by only having one child in the mix at a time.  Lauren was in school in the morning so William could get in on the action and while he napped she went to town on the sugar cookies.  Grandma and I also made some dough ahead of time to simpilfy things as well.  Baking is precise and measuring ingredients with screaming kids could make turn a good batch bad.

I think Santa will enjoy his plate of cookies at our house, any favorite cookies you only make once a year?

I'm sharing with a holiday link party at Schuelove, looks like some great recipes to check out! 

XOXO

Aubrey

Quin-what?

Quinoa (pronouced "keen-wah") has been my current food obsession over the last few weeks.  It's all over pinterest, side salads at restaurants, and magazines.  I've made it a few times in the past, but lately I just can't get enough.  It's so good for you.  I'm never going to claim to be a nutritionist, all I can tell you is the stuff sticks to you and leaves you satisfied for hours.  You can check out the real benefits here.

I wanted to share a few of the recipes that we've tried, but I've also been making extra and then adding it to a salad for lunch throughout the week for some extra protein.  It can be expensive so if you are just going to give it a try, Trader Joe's has a 1 lb. bag for $3.99

ENJOY!  

Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Quinoa

****The following pictures are not mine and were taken from the corresponding recipe's website****

Greek Quinoa Salad

Quinoa, Red Pepper, and Cucumber Salad with Avocado and Lime

BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad

Let me know if you try any of these, I always love the comments:)

 And don't forget to get out and vote today!  

XOXO

Aubrey

Fried Green Tomatoes

As silly as it sounds, I've wanted to try one of these ever since I saw that movie.  I'm not sure if I've just overlooked it on a menu or living in Michigan one doesn't find it, but I figured I'd just try it myself.  

From what I've read, the tomatoes aren't just under ripened red tomatoes, they are actually green tomatoes.  They aren't always in stock, but on one of my rare shopping trips without kids I had a moment to explore the produce section.  

Ask and you shall receive!

After I posted my bucket list a few months back, my mother beat me to the punch and fried some up first.  Lucky for me, she researched the recipe and was the guinea pig.

There were a few messy steps, but they didn't take long and were delicious.  These tomatoes were quite large so next time I will slice them a little thinner and would love to find the perfect dipping sauce too.

And how am I doing on my bucket list with one week to labor day?

50% complete.

I've had go to Drive In on my list for years so I knew that was a stretch.  I swear we went to a fair and even if I don't get to a diner, I've taken ice cream and cones to our playground for all the neighborhood kids a few times to make that one count.

William's room, you ask...it's coming along.  Hope to make a post next week with some progress.

We've gone out and celebrated summer a lot of ways and while I'm ready for school to start, I'm not jumping into fall just yet.  We're holding off on cider and pumpkin spiced lattes until the colors start changing!

XOXO

Aubrey

Buckets of Fun

Did you make a summer bucket list?  Mine is done!  

We had some friends over today for a little fun in the sun and got to check one item off the list.

I'd been wanting to have a summer playdate for awhile.  Set up all the water toys, bubbles and serve lunch.  I made these two new recipes which were delish and a hit with the mommies.

Greek Hummus Dip

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Dream Bars

 via

Even this little party was more work than I thought, but totally worth it.  Lauren was so excited when she woke up to see the entire backyard set up and special snacks made.

I don't have a picture, but made a summer snack mix for the party too.  The kids ate it up, but I'm now stuck with a box of Trix.  Both Lauren and William picked "the beach balls" out.  

 Here's my list!

Nothing too crazy, just a few things.

Making real lemonade and going to the drive in are being carried over from years past, but I can now check off the lemonade:)

Lauren's Lemonade

*1 1/2 cups sugar

*1 1/2 cups fresh squeezed lemons (6-8 lemons)

*8 cups water

Mix sugar and 1 cup of water in a sauce pan and bring to a boil, stir continuously, until sugar dissolves.  Cool completely and add syrup mixture to a pitcher of the lemon juice and then add remaining water.  Refrigerate and serve.

Super easy and a new summer staple.  Maybe someone's signature drink:)

XOXO

Aubrey

I'm no Barefoot Contessa {II}

I did one of these posts awhile back but thought I'd bring it back because friends are always wondering how and probably why I meal plan.  I'm a planner, a list maker and a food obsesser.  We finish one meal and I wonder what the next is going to be.

Day 1: Pasta with Marinara Sauce and Baked Chicken Meatballs Courtesy of Jocelyn P.
This recipe makes enough for two meals, you could freeze and even pair with meatball subs.  

Ingredients
• 3 slices Italian bread, torn into small bits (1 cup) – I used wheat bread 
• 1/3 cup milk
• 3 ounces sliced pancetta, finely chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 large egg
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 tablespoons tomato paste, divided
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F with a rack in the upper third of the oven. Soak bread in milk in a small bowl until softened, about four minutes.
Cook pancetta, onion, and garlic in one tablespoon oil with 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper in a large skillet over medium heat until onion is softened, about 6 minutes. (Alternately, as in “I thought of this after the fact”, I’d bet you could render the pancetta for a couple minutes and cook the onions and garlic in that fat, rather than olive oil.) Cool slightly.
Squeeze bread to remove excess milk, then discard milk. Lightly beat egg in a large bowl, then combine with chicken, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, pancetta mixture, bread, and parsley. Form 12 meatballs and arrange in another 4-sided sheet pan (I used a 9×13 roasting dish).
Bake in upper third of oven until meatballs are just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

Day 2: Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki Sauce Courtesy of Cooking Light and Joc:)
Serve with a homemade pasta or potato salad.

1/2 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled feta cheese 
1 tablespoon minced red onion
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper $
1 pound ground turkey breast $
1 garlic clove, minced
Cooking spray
2 cups arugula (I've made with and without)
2 (6-inch) whole-wheat pitas, toasted and halved (last time I used the Trade Joes Naan and grilled them...wow!)

Preparation
1. Combine first 8 ingredients in a bowl; mix until combined. Divide panko mixture into 4 portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick oval patty.
2. Heat a nonstick grill pan over medium-high heat (or just grill). Coat pan with cooking spray. Add patties to pan; cook 6 minutes on each side or until done. Place 1 patty and 1/2 cup arugula in each pita half.

Tzatziki sauce: Combine 1/2 cup plain low-fat, Greek-style yogurt; 1/4 cup finely chopped seeded cucumber; 1/4 teaspoon salt; and 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper. 



Day 3: Tuna patties with wild rice and broccoli.  Lauren would get a hotdog or chicken nuggets

Note on the patties...I use two small cans of albacore tuna and usually skip the mint because I always forget it.  

Day 4: Pasta Fagoili Soup with a baguette
Ingredients
• 1 (29 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 (14 ounce) cans great Northern beans, undrained
• Fresh baby spinach (add as much or as little as you like)
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth or stock
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 3 cups water 
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 8 slices crisp cooked bacon, crumbled or 1/2 lb of ground sweet italian sausage (cook first)
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley (I prefer fresh)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 pound seashell pasta
• grated parmesean cheese
Directions
• In a large stock pot, combine diced tomatoes, beans, chicken broth, tomato sauce, water, garlic, bacon or sausage, parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and basil. Bring to a boil, and let simmer for 40 minutes, covered.
• Add pasta and cook uncovered until pasta is tender, approximately 10 minutes. Right before serving add spinach, cook until it wilts.  Depending on how thick you like your soup, you may need to add 1/2 to 1 cup more of water.  Ladle soup into individual serving bowls, sprinkle cheese on top, and serve.

NOTE: this makes a TON...my suggestion is follow the recipe but before you add the spinach, take half out and freeze.  Even with taking half out, you will have leftovers.  And for Lauren I usually give her a really thick bowl before I put the spinach in.

Day 5: Italian Sausage and Red Pepper Risotto 

This is really good and Lauren eats it.  Is time consuming because you have to stand by the stove, but I think its worth it!

Thanks Jocelyn...I continue to keep the recipes you send in our rotation!

XOXO

Aubrey

Five Things

I took a break from this weekly post, but I'm back today:)  While I've been posting more lately I didn't feel like I had anything to share for this. Well, I do now!

Snack Time

I had to bring a snack for Lauren's play group and a friend shared a little butterfly idea with me.  I changed it up a little but couldn't believe how easy it was.

*Pipe cleaners (cut in half)

*clothes pins (smiley face optional)

*snack size baggies

*cheddar and cupcake Goldfish (You could do mini crackers and cheese too)

Scrub-a-dub

With summer fast approaching I wanted to find a body wash that was also a scrub to wash away the winter skin.  Softsoap's coconut scrub is fabulous.  Not too harsh, not to smelly, and drug store prices are nice too.

(Mark, so sorry to stray from P&G.  I tried:) )

Call Me, Maybe

I'm gonna apologize first for getting this song it stuck in your head.  It's been in my head for a good week (thanks, Joc).  In my head so much I'm lying in bed and humming it.  Best part, toddlers love songs on repeat and so do I.  Yep, we've listened to this about 25 times in the last two days.

 

Lauren's Style


I think I need to start a little fashion blog for her.  This is what she comes up with on her own.  No help from me.

This is what I helped with for school this morning.  

Lauren was in new clothes as soon as we got home, taking 15 minutes to get something new on.  I would have taken a picture but we had an accident.  If I help for a particular reason...play clothes or certain outfit for school, she changes as soon as said activity is over.  

Fast forward ten years and we'll be waiting in the car for her after lord knows how many outfit changes.

Brie and Brisket Quesadillas

On the menu for this weekend.  Don't these look tasty?  Not sure I"ll tackle the mango chutney, store bought may be the route we go. Check the recipe out here!  After we make it I'll post a mini review in the comment section.

XOXO

Aubrey

Five Things

On Top of Spaghetti

This is our latest library find and it's a cute and fast read.  I grabbed it as we were heading out because what child doesn't love spaghetti and dogs?  And I thought there was a song I was remembering from way back when:)  Grab it, your kids will love it.  And to take it up a notch we served a spaghetti and meatball dinner last night with Italian music playing on pandora and our book on display.  Lauren loved it and I'm a total sucker for anything themed!

via amazon.com

Oompa Loompa


At William's one year well visit, the doctor had a simple fix for my picky eater.  Stop giving him so much to drink.  Wow, apparently I needed to go to medical school to figure that out because its worked.  Three helpings later...

Lamb Shanks braised with Cinnamon and Honey


When my Canadian cousins visit they always bring copies of the quarterly LCBO magazine, the cover was this picture and I knew right away I wanted to make it.  A few weeks later a friend was visiting, noticed the magazine and had just made the cover recipe.  Saying it was "AMAZING."  My mom then made it and I just cooked it Sunday.  Amazing it was and if you are attending my first ever Easter dinner...it made the menu:)

You can find the recipe here, but I wanted to include it below just because these links seem to come and go.

The only possible accompaniment for this rustic dish of tender lamb shanks is mashed potato but, in a pinch, hunks of crusty baguette will mop up the flavourful juices nicely too. Since frozen lamb shanks often come in packages of three, feel free to braise all of them; the meat from the leftover one would be perfect added to a shepherd’s pie or tucked into a wrap with crisp salad greens and tzatziki. 2 lamb shanks, about 10 oz (300 g) each ¾ tsp (4 mL) kosher salt ¾ tsp (4 mL) freshly ground black pepper 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon 1 cup (250 mL) low-sodium beef or chicken stock ¼ cup (60 mL) liquid honey 6 cloves garlic, unpeeled 2 tbsp (30 mL) Worcestershire sauce 4 bay leaves Finely chopped parsley for garnish  1 Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). 2 Pat lamb shanks dry with paper towels, then sprinkle on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Cook lamb shanks for 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides. Remove lamb shanks to a large plate. 3 Reduce heat to medium and add onion to fat remaining in pot. Cook, stirring often, for 4 to 6 minutes, until onion is golden brown. Add cinnamon and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds or until fragrant. 4 Stir in stock, honey, garlic, Worcestershire sauce and bay leaves. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring to scrape up any brown bits from bottom of pot. 5 Return lamb shanks to pot, cover tightly and transfer to oven. Cook for about 1½ hours or until lamb is very tender, turning lamb shanks over halfway through cooking time. 6 Remove lamb shanks to a warm plate, cover and keep warm. With a slotted spoon, remove garlic and set aside. Discard bay leaves. When garlic is cool enough to handle, squeeze garlic from skins and mash smoothly. Whisk garlic into cooking juices and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until juices have reduced and thickened slightly. Taste and add more salt and pepper if necessary. 7 Place lamb shanks on 2 warm plates. Spoon cooking juices over shanks and sprinkle with parsley. Serves 2

Clownin' Around


Grandma's school was going to the circus this week and an invitation was extended to Lauren.  Even though she told me she loved everything but the clowns, she seems pretty happy here.


Thank you so much for taking her, we know she had a blast!

Kids Say The Darndest Things


Don't they?  She had put her baby to sleep and explained to me that I needed to be quiet.  Then proceed to tell William....


"William if you are bad, you will never see your daddy again."  


She has repeated a zillion things I've said, but I swear I've never uttered those words.  I need to start writing more of these down because some can be so funny, but some just melt my heart.  The other day we talked about what makes everyone different and did she know?  Her answer "magic."  




XOXO


Aubrey